tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230343192024-03-14T06:45:27.021-07:00Every Turning"In every turning He will prepare you with grace upon grace..."Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-87849639037641138362010-09-15T18:20:00.004-07:002010-09-15T18:45:32.987-07:00Remembering BeautyGranny Beauty was the matriarch of a loving, close-knit family who called me their sister and daughter during my time in South Africa. I celebrated birthdays and Christmas with the family, I attended coming-of-age ceremonies and funerals, we laughed and grieved and shared life together. I can't imagine my time in South Africa without Granny.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Celebrating Christmas with Granny's family</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2CgoI8mczV08jZiclfFBx81vAGla6CEL12BAGkCqXFuVEWl2wek0DIfzpAuedwnUMqaXg4KYOwwnDqVjHIZ7eSoENQsXB0nTp9RG87-TC6a6XsE7ICESxXhd4xJ2c9iNJNN9gg/s1600/DSCN9034.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2CgoI8mczV08jZiclfFBx81vAGla6CEL12BAGkCqXFuVEWl2wek0DIfzpAuedwnUMqaXg4KYOwwnDqVjHIZ7eSoENQsXB0nTp9RG87-TC6a6XsE7ICESxXhd4xJ2c9iNJNN9gg/s400/DSCN9034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517317330700493730" border="0" /></a><br />Granny had been sick for quite some time, and this year, her arthritis and diabetes and other health issues caused her to spend much of her time in bed. Her daughter, Christina, passed away in May. The family held a final mourning service for Christina in August, and two days later, Granny passed away in her sleep, on the morning of August 23rd.<br /><br />I met Granny Beauty for the first time in 2006. I visited South Africa on a two-week Road Trip, and Granny and her family hosted our group for a meal. I sat in the dusty yard behind Granny's house and ate chicken and pap, and then Granny's grandkids and the neighbor kids teamed up with several of the white people to teach them to dance. There was a dance competition, and a lot of laughter. It was one of my favorite nights of the trip.<br /><br />When I returned to South Africa for 10 months the following year, I spent my ministry time primarily in Soshanguve. I went to Granny's house twice a week with one of the NCSA staff. Sometimes I led a Bible study with Granny and some of her daughters, granddaughters and neighbors. Sometimes I joined in when Doug led worship or Bible study. And sometimes, I just shared life with the family. We visited friends who were suffering from HIV and other illnesses. We took food to neighbors in need. We visited friends who'd had a death in the family. As my friend Sarah once said, "You know how things are at Granny's--some form of life always takes over." It <a href="http://everyturning.blogspot.com/2007/07/its-not-about-bible-study-after-all.html">always</a> did. And God was present.<br /><br />One of my favorite memories of Granny is the song she wrote about eating pizza. The lyrics consisted of a repeated refrain: "Pizza imonati, pizza imonati..." which is Sotho for "delicious pizza." Granny spontaneously sang this song as her daughter Annah improvised a harmony, and the best part of all? Throughout the performance, Granny played air guitar.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pizza imonati...</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM3SPypmiKqi-txKPSZilRjreMeYGBMhIIvmx-5DTu-pI7JdCM3GeA0ObeXzwlj5k8dTM4KYK7DYQN3WUjbeGqetRwAJHKFuswlbPUycnVMidzSLWCruwMH1wHDggWr83ugRL5A/s1600/DSCN4475.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM3SPypmiKqi-txKPSZilRjreMeYGBMhIIvmx-5DTu-pI7JdCM3GeA0ObeXzwlj5k8dTM4KYK7DYQN3WUjbeGqetRwAJHKFuswlbPUycnVMidzSLWCruwMH1wHDggWr83ugRL5A/s400/DSCN4475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517317337023421090" border="0" /></a>Toward the end of 2007, I went on a crazy <a href="http://everyturning.blogspot.com/2007/10/rain-and-reunions.html">road trip</a> with Granny's family. We drove to a mountain village in KwaZulu-Natal to reunite Granny with her daughter Dumazile, who'd been kidnapped at the age of seven. We made our way up muddy, narrow, winding roads, our overloaded VW microbus clinging to the side of a mountain. The views were spectacular. Granny couldn't watch--it was too scary to look out at the dropoff. I kept exclaiming over how beautiful it was, and meanwhile Granny had a blanket over her head. At one point, we rounded a precarious corner and I said something about the view. Granny peered out from under the blanket, looked at me and shook her head, saying: "Ohhhh, Barbara!!" as she smiled in disbelief that I was still looking out the window.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mother and Daughters:<br />Emily, Anna, Dumazile, Granny, and Christina<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-N1qGyYZLkjHrBCDfecP6sVBv-AoNT_m6wvsho4P1Q2ult6r1fp9yVyGmJdw316UtmvffBFD3pw7fZtTr7RdaijVjlt_CqHR71tHV5V-JG_0ggxUpnes4uLCLvN8YaRGN24igg/s1600/with+granny.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-N1qGyYZLkjHrBCDfecP6sVBv-AoNT_m6wvsho4P1Q2ult6r1fp9yVyGmJdw316UtmvffBFD3pw7fZtTr7RdaijVjlt_CqHR71tHV5V-JG_0ggxUpnes4uLCLvN8YaRGN24igg/s400/with+granny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517317346578467346" border="0" /></a>Later that same day, we said goodbyes to Dumazile and walked down zig-zagging pathways back to the microbus. Granny, walking beside me, said over and over: "Barbara, I am so blessed. So blessed by God." I was filled with thankfulness--not just to have been part of this reunion, but to hear Granny praising God for this blessing, to see her giving the glory to God for accomplishing this reunion with her long-lost daughter.<br /><br />It's hard to be far away while Granny's family is grieving the loss of their wonderful mother and grandmother. Granny has left them (and me) a rich legacy of love and hospitality. I will miss Granny greatly, but am so thankful for the three and a half years I got to spend as an adopted member of the family. I have been blessed to see her grow in faith and her love for God, and look forward to the day when I will see her again...<br /><br /><blockquote>Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.<br />--Jesus (John 16:22)</blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbyhr-BpNYdxXWVA9jDtM5MFAkDvz4qIT38Cp5zuX6j1cE_PrTqsg8vU2aSZDbWGvD8LHzwi9jqXbLvSCS-dPb6fb4BKdubU_IBkYziVYIHxeg5Plj4YLtmd6yHFr5fgUFcQ7yg/s1600/P7040191.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbyhr-BpNYdxXWVA9jDtM5MFAkDvz4qIT38Cp5zuX6j1cE_PrTqsg8vU2aSZDbWGvD8LHzwi9jqXbLvSCS-dPb6fb4BKdubU_IBkYziVYIHxeg5Plj4YLtmd6yHFr5fgUFcQ7yg/s400/P7040191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517317362045491010" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-66017022705485374482010-08-30T18:32:00.000-07:002010-08-30T18:33:31.534-07:00One joy expected, another givenFrom C.S. Lewis' <span style="font-style: italic;">Perelandra:</span><br />"...it may be, one finds a different fruit and not the fruit one thought of. One joy was expected and another is given. But this I had never noticed before--that the very moment of the finding there is in the mind a kind of thrusting back, or setting aside. The picture of the fruit you have not found is still, for a moment, before you. And if you wished--if it were possible to wish--you could keep it there. You could send your soul after the good you had expected, instead of turning it to the good you had got. You could refuse the real good; you could make the real fruit taste insipid by thinking of the other."<br /><br />"And have you no fear... that it will ever be hard to turn your heart from the thing you wanted to the thing Maleldil sends?"<br />"...The wave you plunge into may be very swift and great. You may need all your force to swim into it. You mean, he might send me a good like that?"<br />"Yes--or like a wave so swift and great that all your force was too little."<br />"It often happens that way in swimming," said the Lady. "Is not that part of the delight?"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi75h1T-9FGCehBFWfEl_XPMxBgo5RmNG_iJqb8zAuVhLzT69kjpjChY-2wDXQyrwMcGO7KsgSxsSSxN_sg7gGhvMV58Hrjyok6y0i2TGdFbauuS00HrNd4p66rgTSQbwLsViag/s1600/CIMG1107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi75h1T-9FGCehBFWfEl_XPMxBgo5RmNG_iJqb8zAuVhLzT69kjpjChY-2wDXQyrwMcGO7KsgSxsSSxN_sg7gGhvMV58Hrjyok6y0i2TGdFbauuS00HrNd4p66rgTSQbwLsViag/s400/CIMG1107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509864506918635618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My friend Sally, swimming in Thailand</span></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-51284459606557982422010-08-16T18:52:00.005-07:002010-08-16T19:44:20.687-07:00Take a photograph, 'cause this ain't gonna last...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNoFfOuBsgXtseAu3fxtfEXw_HaTF0Zu5eZT39Yy6epQf8fCg0tCWdeVGmv-IukWx3X2IW-UDDV6xKxcDdvEvaN4Me_GvTh6mTKH_yHixh2rAdLgnQjHff9U4G4HWGPUu1ZqkmQ/s1600/P7240139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNoFfOuBsgXtseAu3fxtfEXw_HaTF0Zu5eZT39Yy6epQf8fCg0tCWdeVGmv-IukWx3X2IW-UDDV6xKxcDdvEvaN4Me_GvTh6mTKH_yHixh2rAdLgnQjHff9U4G4HWGPUu1ZqkmQ/s400/P7240139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506203331204843842" /></a><br />The last few weeks have felt largely surreal. I'm not in South Africa anymore, and it's still hard to take in the fact that I'm not returning. As I said goodbyes, person after person asked me when I'd be back. I reassured many friends that I'll visit, and I've left and returned enough times that it seems I'll be headed back before too long. But in my brain I know this is the end of an era (even if my heart hasn't absorbed it yet). I'm moving on. I don't know into what, and that may be part of why the leaving is still so surreal.<br /><br />After leaving South Africa, I spent a week in Malaysia and then one in Thailand. My time in Malaysia was at first full of reunions--many friends I hadn't seen in months or years were gathered in one place as part of the CRM Worldwide Conference. As the week came to a close, the reality of saying goodbyes to those friends, as well as the reality that I was leaving CRM, began to sink in.<br /><br />The day the conference ended, I took a taxi to a ferry to a taxi to a train... and on that overnight train across Malaysia, I had one of those moments where time and place and music and life converge. I was traveling at high speeds away from the ending of something good, and heading into new travels in another country. The lights were out in the train compartment, I was tucked into my little bunk listening to my iPod, and <a href="http://andrewosenga.com/">Andrew Osenga</a>'s song "Photograph" was playing:<br /><br /><blockquote>"...so take a photograph<br />if you're wanting this to last<br />'cause you can try the best you can<br />but God knows, it's about to end."</blockquote><br />For the last few months, I've been holding on to the idea of continuing in full-time international vocational ministry. I've wanted this season of my life to last. I've explored 9 teams in 6 different cities (some more thoroughly than others). None of these opportunities have worked out: I've been turned down, referred elsewhere, it's been the wrong time, it hasn't fit, or it just hasn't felt right.<br /><br />Acts 16:6-10 was a passage I spent a lot of time with in October and November, when I decided God was leading me out of NieuCommunities and into something new. At the time, I was struck by the way Paul & the apostles tried to go several places, and the Holy Spirit prevented them--literally kept them from going where they thought they were supposed to go. There's been an element of that in my last 8 months. And so, I've been letting go. The CRM conference in many ways marked the end of an era, as well as a letting go of this form of ministry for the next season of my life. That night in the train--however belatedly--was a final acknowledgment that "it's about to end." But also: that it was good. And that the ending of it is also good.<br /><br />The song ends with the repeated lines: "I don't know where I'm going / but I know that you'll be there." Sometimes I'm okay with the not knowing, and other times not so much. It comes and goes. But I'm confident that there is another era in store for me, and that God will be there, as he has been so profoundly all along.<br /><br />Writings I've relatedly been reading:<br /><a href="http://www.waterdeep.com/blog/2009/12/1/arriving_back_in_kc">Arriving Back in KC</a><br /><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/08/when-endings-come.html">When Endings Come</a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-41555954728057344452010-08-09T17:29:00.004-07:002010-08-09T17:55:35.726-07:00MalaysiaEvery four years, <a href="http://www.crmleaders.org/">CRM</a> missionaries from around the world gather for a Worldwide Conference, and this year we met in Langkawi, Malaysia. I left behind winter in South Africa and arrived in Malaysia to spend a week in humid, 90-degree weather on the beach (and in overly air-conditioned conference rooms). It was a great week spent with some pretty awesome people.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dvi2gIvMnfO7z2pOjNj-gvzcVOmZGZ0YhhakNSIPVcAokDuwsfhnxYg2ySFaC3cM_U7GsXEbD4_Y6lI-dKQgU_olB7cYr783EixV_u20PHj8ahbiMJO0xrtrngtv8JSCd192PQ/s1600/P7230101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dvi2gIvMnfO7z2pOjNj-gvzcVOmZGZ0YhhakNSIPVcAokDuwsfhnxYg2ySFaC3cM_U7GsXEbD4_Y6lI-dKQgU_olB7cYr783EixV_u20PHj8ahbiMJO0xrtrngtv8JSCd192PQ/s400/P7230101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503572627043679826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HaqrEnPsmlnkghY-BW2W31oSGqqQLvTKITtIMunrAAhel8qorPlmiWFxA17cFAmkUU7QW1MmHO3C2eOb0pmlwv_sA4GfVQFOaxpYYw093_ncaRaicVEFrfMixtdpOrLOCqHz3A/s1600/DSCN9794.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HaqrEnPsmlnkghY-BW2W31oSGqqQLvTKITtIMunrAAhel8qorPlmiWFxA17cFAmkUU7QW1MmHO3C2eOb0pmlwv_sA4GfVQFOaxpYYw093_ncaRaicVEFrfMixtdpOrLOCqHz3A/s400/DSCN9794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503572636440321490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Af8r7cXy471FAjd8nguz9L5d-t4LukJq0oE694N_P0yNHSdatu03-AiQ36_-bQxOIyO3o72UejUtZUQY8COvi4CbSapRabu53GmFaYe17Q87v39Sa_F3DqEmrLJ3ObeIPOi6Xw/s1600/DSCN9734.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Af8r7cXy471FAjd8nguz9L5d-t4LukJq0oE694N_P0yNHSdatu03-AiQ36_-bQxOIyO3o72UejUtZUQY8COvi4CbSapRabu53GmFaYe17Q87v39Sa_F3DqEmrLJ3ObeIPOi6Xw/s400/DSCN9734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503572640406591090" border="0" /></a><br />The best part of the conference was spending time with friends--reuniting with friends I hadn't seen in a while, renewing and deepening acquaintances, and getting in some last good talks with teammates from South Africa before we said goodbyes.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4hLM1Jm_DXkImwF9r9KoG9AN-izw9UwshH6XC9NKbm-WBIRLqzU6oF8pRjxFs_ezzQuD41MDrKUB5Fya5T45J5SuBgweckxLsEzjy8IcGlAB8391GgPiAmdqiJwdzY2zi2l-ow/s1600/DSCN9793.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4hLM1Jm_DXkImwF9r9KoG9AN-izw9UwshH6XC9NKbm-WBIRLqzU6oF8pRjxFs_ezzQuD41MDrKUB5Fya5T45J5SuBgweckxLsEzjy8IcGlAB8391GgPiAmdqiJwdzY2zi2l-ow/s400/DSCN9793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503573844050047634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rMl7OICaOksdT7Qamz5aE6VkbezyKYY3WyQfmdum2KHxnUJKPB4NSnQAW0gz-yca_527_l57QCsLidB7FzUz9mF9CWg6UqIn9lnOsqg6sBE0kCwkam4xi2si_-pcrY43WCe0AQ/s1600/DSCN9804.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rMl7OICaOksdT7Qamz5aE6VkbezyKYY3WyQfmdum2KHxnUJKPB4NSnQAW0gz-yca_527_l57QCsLidB7FzUz9mF9CWg6UqIn9lnOsqg6sBE0kCwkam4xi2si_-pcrY43WCe0AQ/s400/DSCN9804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503572668560209314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCVupYY7QV1HFYFi2GIbQzss9RsAZOrqXIzbiZFVqNB50M4uzXWel-MO73tW0ylXP9SkLgrgvYK_vSf_WLpqug79t3uLHd907tgzFs2fEzFC_UnUdmhx8XAPH2CBqJ7sCH0DjLw/s1600/DSCN9809.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCVupYY7QV1HFYFi2GIbQzss9RsAZOrqXIzbiZFVqNB50M4uzXWel-MO73tW0ylXP9SkLgrgvYK_vSf_WLpqug79t3uLHd907tgzFs2fEzFC_UnUdmhx8XAPH2CBqJ7sCH0DjLw/s400/DSCN9809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503572648079014498" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-58211954828160630222010-08-09T17:06:00.004-07:002010-08-09T21:01:48.403-07:00Since I've Been GoneIn the rush of leaving, I didn't manage to post photos of last goodbyes in South Africa. Now these seem ages ago and continents away... the latter of which is true.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner & movie night with Sarah, Busi, and Lizzy before Lizzy left for Limpopo where she's been teaching for the past 6 months.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-Zz0nBDuFuR27RNEgbA8q-9ey6WqaP7J_Dsi1RZ3pY02A5OjN63sXY0YYzcxhi_MmczHM_YBxgaSv2N9p57-67J-curC9M07Q6-XC3Gs6P1yAviMIXUW2adffFDq3xtAYOfNBA/s1600/DSCN9615.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-Zz0nBDuFuR27RNEgbA8q-9ey6WqaP7J_Dsi1RZ3pY02A5OjN63sXY0YYzcxhi_MmczHM_YBxgaSv2N9p57-67J-curC9M07Q6-XC3Gs6P1yAviMIXUW2adffFDq3xtAYOfNBA/s400/DSCN9615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503567029904092626" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Goodbye party in Pretoria North with lots of South African friends (too many names to list!)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VHdzW2zc9RMJeWB-K8e9Ss-GlXwnpo__euq-dFDluG8_-D_n4K0uhBu2f1BqCD83LA8oCdBSG6GUx4IKkpiqw8izoPlDclDk2e4xQgvI0u5sgfHoSCOGnE3fGqmHbUc7hSf8DQ/s1600/DSCN9619.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VHdzW2zc9RMJeWB-K8e9Ss-GlXwnpo__euq-dFDluG8_-D_n4K0uhBu2f1BqCD83LA8oCdBSG6GUx4IKkpiqw8izoPlDclDk2e4xQgvI0u5sgfHoSCOGnE3fGqmHbUc7hSf8DQ/s400/DSCN9619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503567041230466066" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A last visit to Soshanguve, at Emily's... with pap & vleis for lunch. Mmm.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItcmu3AEyizbTIZ3y_I8khZ1vt6l-rGIis9lchSJLCO5N9XTN-fBiFHuRMqKeyYLk9YbfGR9EV6ui7uzvPZUVnUUW_cdPEkn_0leM9HcYZ1AbyDnuUDxsd5CNYOKOAzhUiWAGAg/s1600/P7110201.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItcmu3AEyizbTIZ3y_I8khZ1vt6l-rGIis9lchSJLCO5N9XTN-fBiFHuRMqKeyYLk9YbfGR9EV6ui7uzvPZUVnUUW_cdPEkn_0leM9HcYZ1AbyDnuUDxsd5CNYOKOAzhUiWAGAg/s400/P7110201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503567050560267058" border="0" /></a><br />Playing games outside while lunch was cooking--two kids held a long tied-together loop of pantyhose and everyone else took turns jumping into the middle, hooking one of the strings over a foot on the way in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_yo1ECG3asWCicEgJRFHlanI0SSj69R46G3dy9fLJNfXZmuue_PY1DIHJhq-pa-BvTNr3AEkf9wgugoecpnwyo8SYDjT7e5aoJ8ncbuvHlETvSw2qTm5YNL072aFlc343c9iXw/s1600/DSCN9695.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_yo1ECG3asWCicEgJRFHlanI0SSj69R46G3dy9fLJNfXZmuue_PY1DIHJhq-pa-BvTNr3AEkf9wgugoecpnwyo8SYDjT7e5aoJ8ncbuvHlETvSw2qTm5YNL072aFlc343c9iXw/s400/DSCN9695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503570288230010354" border="0" /></a><br />Tshepo shows his style here...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6v613obRs1aX__x3XTyJ2IKlDAUP5cE3BZVz8WGXk69JKwzFcTcvEwkqophnvJVgby2i1GLEffo0mN8jj9nOfhuP02jHxURSMqqw6iBJ1hFU55fnlwoaVQ9FwUVenoZzbPVJw/s1600/DSCN9689.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6v613obRs1aX__x3XTyJ2IKlDAUP5cE3BZVz8WGXk69JKwzFcTcvEwkqophnvJVgby2i1GLEffo0mN8jj9nOfhuP02jHxURSMqqw6iBJ1hFU55fnlwoaVQ9FwUVenoZzbPVJw/s400/DSCN9689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503567059293760722" border="0" /></a>A last Soshanguve sunset<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r9UZTfgghD0BgHEm3OiVVLSFvuw0wB06cTI3Ovbg6Nc1j_QNTMvOZ6sylKfgVFQZIfOcY7AzEL-vAb70byVG6i7liBVqwBW100jn920UhgHI8F55wnnrIxrQgtRSd6vEL9_1Cg/s1600/P7110344.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r9UZTfgghD0BgHEm3OiVVLSFvuw0wB06cTI3Ovbg6Nc1j_QNTMvOZ6sylKfgVFQZIfOcY7AzEL-vAb70byVG6i7liBVqwBW100jn920UhgHI8F55wnnrIxrQgtRSd6vEL9_1Cg/s400/P7110344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503567064654189554" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-68705202045356375252010-07-06T04:58:00.008-07:002010-07-07T07:10:00.915-07:00Catching upIt's hard to believe the World Cup is nearly over... which means my time in South Africa is nearly over as well. Here are some pictures of what I've been up to over the past few weeks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">World Cup Opening Match</span><br />I went with some friends to a public viewing area at Giants Stadium in Soshanguve to take in the Opening Ceremonies and the opening game against Mexico.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq5bRhv05MRdF25qEdQ6AKv5Ha-zlGEYv5t1T53ipjpwua0P8eBFkZ8YSoMi93Wei2TA3brXsKM3LOiQe7iKXoiHsia1iT3qivJ4Qo6eX0WS6TGE9eBCDmPCNO7qQH9Z14PITCQ/s1600/DSCN1099.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq5bRhv05MRdF25qEdQ6AKv5Ha-zlGEYv5t1T53ipjpwua0P8eBFkZ8YSoMi93Wei2TA3brXsKM3LOiQe7iKXoiHsia1iT3qivJ4Qo6eX0WS6TGE9eBCDmPCNO7qQH9Z14PITCQ/s400/DSCN1099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490766900664035186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUWDm8n9yNihnvUFfBelG7-SHqIeMng9XV7WZ2mzpRIhcjL0XzTNeIi04gQJ3ODeyjVoEKJ6vP2LqOTN7OA2gAx_IPXDxA8f6X7ml53fRHwGKrjfuT-nYqwbzQVyNlhIOwRV5YQ/s1600/DSCN1098.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUWDm8n9yNihnvUFfBelG7-SHqIeMng9XV7WZ2mzpRIhcjL0XzTNeIi04gQJ3ODeyjVoEKJ6vP2LqOTN7OA2gAx_IPXDxA8f6X7ml53fRHwGKrjfuT-nYqwbzQVyNlhIOwRV5YQ/s400/DSCN1098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490766902781871842" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It was amazing to be in the midst of tens of thousands of loyal fans to watch the first goal of the Cup scored by Bafana Bafana... even though the game ended up being a draw.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N1J8h4OiZYKfEjJaKdtpPQ4ZpxGeEObxluKNB8LjaY6q90XVhA0KhpH1S2EyNQt7EwDbOARt14nZU4QODJPJSWESqTwuJkjS4nSYzzYg2ny4CcdhmtwtduP76zCi7vQrwriSHg/s1600/DSCN1130.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N1J8h4OiZYKfEjJaKdtpPQ4ZpxGeEObxluKNB8LjaY6q90XVhA0KhpH1S2EyNQt7EwDbOARt14nZU4QODJPJSWESqTwuJkjS4nSYzzYg2ny4CcdhmtwtduP76zCi7vQrwriSHg/s400/DSCN1130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490766885072181298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paraguay vs. New Zealand</span><br />Sarah and I got tickets for one of the World Cup group matches and took several of our friends from Soshanguve on a road trip to see Paraguay play against New Zealand. It was a no-scoring draw, sadly, but we still had a blast watching World Cup soccer live and in person!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgQbZY9AxdQ8dTbsywdKnBEantRAWrlecSRM3Xo1I479_SRhz2uvT_AqpkJcpEH25nbY68rrk0LO-8hR3VtlHFmREy2MHt6MJhRl4tbEn7zUwYCIlYSnqrFPLTs7nJCw6dEowug/s1600/DSCN1228.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgQbZY9AxdQ8dTbsywdKnBEantRAWrlecSRM3Xo1I479_SRhz2uvT_AqpkJcpEH25nbY68rrk0LO-8hR3VtlHFmREy2MHt6MJhRl4tbEn7zUwYCIlYSnqrFPLTs7nJCw6dEowug/s400/DSCN1228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491155337951861362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Me, Pretty, Lucky, Emily, Alex and Solomon<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrqAGEcb67ZKJeS16jJNe4PsDK0J1EAiYQ8gIMzbTy8fA23-bwrvlJHIlwXNjwS1m5m1OcFnZl5BAmC0DRm02I64kbglKrV7RHa-Q8slPu7b9wOFBR3GGDrANabHy8KfwJ-35aA/s1600/DSCN1216.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrqAGEcb67ZKJeS16jJNe4PsDK0J1EAiYQ8gIMzbTy8fA23-bwrvlJHIlwXNjwS1m5m1OcFnZl5BAmC0DRm02I64kbglKrV7RHa-Q8slPu7b9wOFBR3GGDrANabHy8KfwJ-35aA/s400/DSCN1216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491155328641005602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kids' Photo Class Field Trip</span><br />Sarah took her photography class kids on a field trip to Joburg, to visit the Market Photo Workshop and the Joburg Art Gallery. She needed another driver, so I got to tag along for the day!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah and me with the moms who came along for the day, and Sarah's translator for her photo class (also big sister to one of the kids). We took this picture with all the adults, and realized it doubles as a picture of our women's prayer/Bible study group. :)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe7jQKE25tciYI56gB1tX0euPQoZmCI6PmWQhzk6LuMHfZ5fQi6mU3cSUOgAlcY2TARNKAWHTD2WinCUcok1NJ9GFgCPrwMmD-H_AJEqqOTEQ3BdBnI6kg7iulm9jrdZAbamcBQ/s1600/P6260179.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe7jQKE25tciYI56gB1tX0euPQoZmCI6PmWQhzk6LuMHfZ5fQi6mU3cSUOgAlcY2TARNKAWHTD2WinCUcok1NJ9GFgCPrwMmD-H_AJEqqOTEQ3BdBnI6kg7iulm9jrdZAbamcBQ/s400/P6260179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491160482804625442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goodbye at Granny's</span><br />On Sunday, I had to say goodbye to many good friends in Soshanguve. Sarah and I had a goodbye party at Granny's home with the family as well as some other friends from Sosh. It was a great time of being together, sharing gifts and memories, and letting the family know how much they have meant to me during the past 3 1/2 years. I will miss all of them so much!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpfkOyQ7hZbpmjleT2dx_CLtmaq6NXe5zAVetbgkXDgXJwQJsH49NIcsb8Z6EmScpG6RbLe-rZqFsvjciBp-ISXHeqa04eiw7LxKjdUntJaFxkcE_yvye0SiBN2SiO3iMqqb3Ug/s1600/P7040166_2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpfkOyQ7hZbpmjleT2dx_CLtmaq6NXe5zAVetbgkXDgXJwQJsH49NIcsb8Z6EmScpG6RbLe-rZqFsvjciBp-ISXHeqa04eiw7LxKjdUntJaFxkcE_yvye0SiBN2SiO3iMqqb3Ug/s400/P7040166_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491163979042974738" border="0" /></a>Me and Precious, Emily's middle daughter. Since I first met her in February 2007, Precious has been the little girl who singles me out whenever I'm in Sosh--to play ball, to dance, to do my hair. I'll really miss her.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoO9nhLx9YBZk4ty1zg-UvFbhslVsbJ60_PtDc5PwoxK3TBWot_i7Cqv6GgfzPwqcna6iGav0IOOqcnSWlGg_91G9sV3sYuitMw4Iu6a9T69MZMVY2y38NZ-JSPA5TwHXk066uQ/s1600/P7040216.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoO9nhLx9YBZk4ty1zg-UvFbhslVsbJ60_PtDc5PwoxK3TBWot_i7Cqv6GgfzPwqcna6iGav0IOOqcnSWlGg_91G9sV3sYuitMw4Iu6a9T69MZMVY2y38NZ-JSPA5TwHXk066uQ/s400/P7040216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491163969515201650" border="0" /></a>Sarah and me with the women of Granny's family: Granny, her daughters, and granddaughters (and a great-grandson)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfZHMSsEM-HrXYqcqQdCJtqjvC4JwkCGCQ_IvsezXnXCYdMLDgwz-bhY3tWqfgMf2mGxl_j95dxYRbPhbfnaEaTMfN70gKYRTjArTj184EnBV7nEdWHruDUxvb7jLmHD784E_pw/s1600/P7040276.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfZHMSsEM-HrXYqcqQdCJtqjvC4JwkCGCQ_IvsezXnXCYdMLDgwz-bhY3tWqfgMf2mGxl_j95dxYRbPhbfnaEaTMfN70gKYRTjArTj184EnBV7nEdWHruDUxvb7jLmHD784E_pw/s400/P7040276.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491163961624527794" border="0" /></a><br />In between the above, I've been finishing up my weekly prayer & Bible study with women in Soshanguve and Art of Soul every couple weeks (we had a goodbye Monday night but I forgot to take pictures)... and now I'm in the midst of taking care of final details, thank you notes & goodbye gifts, and the packing will happen all too soon. I'm gonna miss this place.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-12899310584630933332010-06-02T01:21:00.004-07:002010-06-02T01:39:33.050-07:00World Cup Geography<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4ZJAUohSy2D7FrwxunSkZlMW10fFd1YJAIRi82IQ6YYot-JMSrTBNMQwUSk2M9EBu5aZ5BseMALd_a9E8Ec4yK3s5adrbmf5w8NWholCxraPUOtIYpPFspBPbYdw2YkP7t5bUg/s1600/IMAGE.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4ZJAUohSy2D7FrwxunSkZlMW10fFd1YJAIRi82IQ6YYot-JMSrTBNMQwUSk2M9EBu5aZ5BseMALd_a9E8Ec4yK3s5adrbmf5w8NWholCxraPUOtIYpPFspBPbYdw2YkP7t5bUg/s400/IMAGE.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478091557111527858" /></a><br />A friend forwarded this picture to me today, with the subject line: "Don't be surprised if no Americans make it to the World Cup..."Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-75143682693322463042010-05-31T06:57:00.002-07:002010-05-31T07:04:22.688-07:00Learning instead of consumingThe following passage, quoted in Gordon T. Smith's <span style="font-style:italic;">Courage & Calling</span>, stuck out to me during a day of reading yesterday:<br /><br />"Learning is perhaps the only pleasure that might replace increasing consumption as our chosen mode of enriching experience. Someday, the joy of recognizing a pattern in a leaf or the geological strata in a cliff face might replace the satisfactions of new carpeting or more horsepower in an engine, and the chance to learn in the workplace might seem more valuable than increased purchasing power or a move up the organizational chart."<br /><br />Smith goes on to comment:<br />"But this will only come about, as Bateson implies, when we come to see knowledge as a source of delight rather than as a means of power. We enjoy learning because we enjoy discovery, the expansion of heart and mind, and growth in wisdom, not merely because it is a means by which we can accomplish something."<br /><br />There's something revolutionary about the idea of replacing consumption with learning. We spend so much time acquiring stuff, much of it entertainment--pursued not for knowledge and discovery, but for mindless filling of time.<br /><br />I fall into consumption even while ostensibly pursuing learning--way more often than I'd like to admit. I miss the nourishment of discovery when I binge instead of taking time to savor, to absorb and reflect on the stories I take in. How different would it be to pursue learning, "expansion of heart and mind, and growth in wisdom" instead of escape? I wish I could say I always read this way. Sometimes, but not enough.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-37975272577181086762010-05-27T05:03:00.004-07:002010-05-27T05:18:59.368-07:00Exploring Kruger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLw3xsW2Ywxm2HcpR2OGhEIX3-ZPJK9zEdSIFLCZVJxY5KBdrV4v6hzD0qmOg1zKLz3dUz7ShfAWx8oeqVP4VP0XrLC3tPMMDJOC_OFEMAQXQtLhqg8HPHDhLI3dvodpsuRkUiA/s1600/DSCN0912.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLw3xsW2Ywxm2HcpR2OGhEIX3-ZPJK9zEdSIFLCZVJxY5KBdrV4v6hzD0qmOg1zKLz3dUz7ShfAWx8oeqVP4VP0XrLC3tPMMDJOC_OFEMAQXQtLhqg8HPHDhLI3dvodpsuRkUiA/s400/DSCN0912.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475922440351407858" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I went on a short trip to <a href="http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/">Kruger National Park</a>, for a couple days of game drives--exploring the park and looking for animals. The nature of a game drive, which I always forget until I'm in the middle of one, is that there are long periods of time where you see nothing at all. You drive and look, and drive some more, you pass cars and ask other drivers if there are sightings ahead, and every so often you stumble upon something really cool. More often you stumble upon yet another group of impala. You start to get tired of the impala, while at the beginning of the drive they were beautiful and picture-worthy.<br /><br />My game drives in Kruger were a lot like others I've been on. Lots of down time, in which I saw nothing but antelope. At the close of the first day, I was a little frustrated. It felt like someone had let all the interesting animals out of the Kruger Park. I felt like I was spending a lot of time looking for something that wasn't materializing--a perhaps too-apt metaphor for the current vocational exploration I'm in right now.<br /><br />Mid-way through Day 2, my last day in the park, I found myself appreciating the little things. Things I wouldn't have appreciated or even noticed had I come across a pack of wild dogs or a pride of lions stalking a kill. Things like watching male impala challenge and charge and chase each other. The saddle-billed stork with an enormous wingspan that swooped right over my car and landed in a shallow riverbed just metres away. The gnarled bare trees scattered throughout the park, outlined against a brilliant blue sky. The Southern ground hornbill that casually circled my car before ambling off into the bush. With his beak open as if he was about to speak, he reminded me of <a href="http://www.joanaiken.com/pages/arabel_mortimer_series.html">Mortimer the Raven</a> from a favorite childhood book (except the hornbill was 3 times the size of any raven I've ever seen). The magnificent male waterbuck on the opposite shore of a watering hole, who paused as he walked past, horns silhouetted perfectly against the sky, as if he were just waiting for me to take his picture before he moved on.<br /><br />Of course, the lesson I reluctantly admitted to myself is not to overlook the small beauties and discoveries of the journey, while looking for the big impressive end goal. That perhaps the end goal you're looking for isn't really the goal after all. Looking back, you realize you've seen far more than you thought you did at the time. And that the long hours of exploring were indeed worthwhile--and probably more important than the leopards and rhinos you never saw.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-88968441555387201172010-04-15T01:59:00.005-07:002010-04-15T02:16:08.034-07:00CorrespondenceI've been going through lots of boxes, clearing stuff away in preparation for leaving South Africa in a few months. And yesterday I discovered that I've kept nearly every card, letter, or postcard sent to me here over the past couple years. It was so much fun to look through these and be reminded of how many people "back home" are praying for and encouraging me from afar. So thank you to everyone who's sent something to me via "real" mail!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieK9N9Ccwc5wt8wGhAZaeYvw9NCMo8RMsXNz0Lgn1WxXLLpHONHzyGzUpIZubhhJupBw-jdaM7YCMM9fCNbbQCjW3vA7aCDfta6K82BmyP24mTPNtMZlVHTfkLJiJqbTsiomiCqQ/s1600/DSCN0630.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieK9N9Ccwc5wt8wGhAZaeYvw9NCMo8RMsXNz0Lgn1WxXLLpHONHzyGzUpIZubhhJupBw-jdaM7YCMM9fCNbbQCjW3vA7aCDfta6K82BmyP24mTPNtMZlVHTfkLJiJqbTsiomiCqQ/s400/DSCN0630.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460290335945066114" border="0" /></a><br />Represented heavily in this picture are the Palmers, who regularly have their Sunday school class and Awana group draw pictures and write cards for me, and of course my best friend Heather, who (when she's not pregnant and forgetful) sends me scads of hilarious postcards. Another favorite pictured in this pile is a card I received just before coming here in 2008, from Kirsten Graham--age 9 at the time, if my math isn't off. The P.S. to her message says: "There is a scary frog on your desk!" This is a reference to something I had on my desk in the church office, which she used to comment on frequently, saying he looked mad. It was a turtle, but still. I can't believe she remembered (I haven't worked there since 2003) and I love that she commented on it in the card. :)Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-2033784152706421902010-04-12T02:24:00.011-07:002010-04-12T03:18:08.355-07:00Kids with Cameras<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg3z1albgy0njd3kCrscNE5aE58sDC8sHHNI75uE7cQSlvfuUIodYYnoQFEpf10rtTQ2QSHoKAHM1cVXcSRLeejUYWhvpymqZUKRVlLscacvLgAEdlX5wm8utNNg5zHntzFs-TQ/s1600/Picture+1.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg3z1albgy0njd3kCrscNE5aE58sDC8sHHNI75uE7cQSlvfuUIodYYnoQFEpf10rtTQ2QSHoKAHM1cVXcSRLeejUYWhvpymqZUKRVlLscacvLgAEdlX5wm8utNNg5zHntzFs-TQ/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459188026267383218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My good friend Sarah Woolley has been teaching an 8-week photography class for kids in Soshanguve for the past couple months. She's using her talent for photography to teach these kids to look a little differently at their world, and to capture it on film.<br /><br />Most of these kids are daughters and sons of my good friends in Soshanguve. Over the past three years, I've played hide and seek with them, sat with them on my lap, let them do my hair, celebrated their birthdays, and they've pulled me out into African dance circles several times (usually against my will, but who can say no when Precious tells you to dance?!). A couple of them frequently ask to borrow my camera when I'm out in Sosh, and I get home to find all kinds of pictures of their friends and their neighborhood.<br /><br />It's been exciting to see these kids have the opportunity to learn more about photography and get their own disposable cameras to experiment with. I love seeing the kids' excitement--most times I've gone out to Sosh in the past months, I've seen these kids using their fingers to frame potential shots.<br /><br />Sarah wrote a post about the project <a href="http://skwoolley.wordpress.com/2010/03/28/sponsor-a-child-in-our-kids-with-cameras-project-in-soshanguve/">here</a>, and I encourage you to check it out! She gives a short bio on each kid, so you can get to know them a little bit. I would so appreciate your prayers and support as Sarah finishes up this class and the kids have the opportunity to display their work at an art show in Soshanguve.<br /><br />If you'd like to make a donation of any amount toward this project, you can click <a href="https://secure.crmleaders.org/jfs/secure/donationForm2.taf?_function=step1&designation=Kids%20with%20Cameras&designationFund=9960">here</a>. This link will take you directly to the support section of CRM's website, where you can make a donation to the "Kids with Cameras" project.<br /><br />Your financial support goes toward supplies for the class, including:<br /><ul><li>Disposable cameras for practice and assignments</li><li>Film developing: prints and digital copies on CD</li><li>Snacks for each class</li><li>Journals, pens, posterboard, and other supplies</li></ul>The cost for the class in Soshanguve breaks down to $100 per child. If you'd like to make a $100 donation to sponsor a specific child, please email Sarah by clicking <a href="mailto:skwoolley.girl@gmail.com">here</a> to let her know which child you’d like to sponsor. Again, to make the donation, click <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" org="" jfs="" secure="" _function="step1&designation=Kids%20with%20Cameras&designationFund=9960"">here</a>. Donations are tax-deductible and work just like any other CRM donation. Thank you!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-88018369044603222132010-03-20T10:24:00.001-07:002010-03-20T10:53:58.847-07:00Let Glasgow Flourish<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18-ykJBCzJ6Sg1AIOSUn_QwyYVusOoLBWjoZtmpAsvWOiu-XXJ4RGi_METeomwbhcgLaqbo7kWnO01BPs-mz1-yJjKvFFrKTcqynH-WV0TbEFgq1DKNdtpPZCA66I6LVnkTBv3A/s1600-h/DSCN0486.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18-ykJBCzJ6Sg1AIOSUn_QwyYVusOoLBWjoZtmpAsvWOiu-XXJ4RGi_METeomwbhcgLaqbo7kWnO01BPs-mz1-yJjKvFFrKTcqynH-WV0TbEFgq1DKNdtpPZCA66I6LVnkTBv3A/s400/DSCN0486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450768823192759570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I came across the motto "Let Glasgow Flourish" as I walked into Glasgow's Botanic Gardens on Wednesday. I took the above picture, because I liked the image of the city flourishing like a garden... especially seeing the words as I walked into a garden. <br /><br />Then yesterday I encountered the phrase again at the <a href="http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=4">Kelvingrove Museum</a>, and asked about it. It's the motto of Glasgow, and it used to continue with the words "...by the preaching of Thy Word and the praising of Thy Name." The words are attributed to St. Mungo, patron saint and founder of the city of Glasgow. This city has a rich spiritual foundation, one that has largely been set aside.<br /><br />The image of Glasgow flourishing like a garden has stayed with me. It reminded me of Isaiah 58:11-12, and as I looked up the passage this afternoon, I realized the context. The following verses describe promises God gives to Israel if they will practice true fasting, genuine worship, and pursue justice for the poor and oppressed.<br /><blockquote><br />The LORD will guide you always;<br />he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land<br />and will strengthen your frame.<br />You will be like a well-watered garden,<br />like a spring whose waters never fail.<br /><br />Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins<br />and will raise up the age-old foundations;<br />you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,<br />Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.</blockquote><br />These words describe the restoration of a city, a city again flourishing because of God's blessing, and because of His people's commitment to true worship and justice. Today, these words are on my heart for this city I've been visiting. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of Thy Word and the praising of Thy Name.</span>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-57830861712033388792010-03-20T10:15:00.004-07:002010-03-20T10:24:28.134-07:00Glasgow in SpringI've been in Glasgow this week, meeting a bunch of people and exploring possibilities for ministry here. It's been a fantastic trip so far. And spring is here. New growth just beginning...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Crocuses (croci?) in the Botanic Gardens</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TFc2_VgNyKlSdynX-4Uh88MNid87KxKZpZWINbgaoVOgvySZ3_A6t7EEWPCP6julQAJMKIkAVr6TBrhBJvX2vgW6Bqz43JpOCqUxTFkajZ8T-cYgTJ5WSGsB037gbIcMI6-IPw/s1600-h/DSCN0487.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TFc2_VgNyKlSdynX-4Uh88MNid87KxKZpZWINbgaoVOgvySZ3_A6t7EEWPCP6julQAJMKIkAVr6TBrhBJvX2vgW6Bqz43JpOCqUxTFkajZ8T-cYgTJ5WSGsB037gbIcMI6-IPw/s400/DSCN0487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450766215106268562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />...and the sun came out!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuT8mfLEsKfv31r6M9hKGJsptNzhXlRUFhR7OCuFb-izKp5ZI38o25aAPvlJUD5pek55ULuaaQ5edDQz5TE5NEvFY1rNNEJ6ycdKvG_nwoyhxnRyHX2XrUKNWbzkUshei0yqR4Q/s1600-h/DSCN0493.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuT8mfLEsKfv31r6M9hKGJsptNzhXlRUFhR7OCuFb-izKp5ZI38o25aAPvlJUD5pek55ULuaaQ5edDQz5TE5NEvFY1rNNEJ6ycdKvG_nwoyhxnRyHX2XrUKNWbzkUshei0yqR4Q/s400/DSCN0493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450766224616314034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some daffodils for my mother</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd2JBmRYKG5gxiy8lwh3qZg5r4Ii9axnA2BBVWC6BBZnvEALHyly3-s5-2hyDM4QK_cmzVXr572KDULmbLFB7xbzPoQSXiBGA-GH05v4v45lvkfrzCHTHCdPFlxKL9hWjsNVglg/s1600-h/DSCN0494.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd2JBmRYKG5gxiy8lwh3qZg5r4Ii9axnA2BBVWC6BBZnvEALHyly3-s5-2hyDM4QK_cmzVXr572KDULmbLFB7xbzPoQSXiBGA-GH05v4v45lvkfrzCHTHCdPFlxKL9hWjsNVglg/s400/DSCN0494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450766231822085442" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-40548920292087155232010-03-17T10:51:00.003-07:002010-03-17T10:57:24.102-07:00I need poetry in my lifeI regularly follow <a href="http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/">The Writer's Almanac</a>. Partly because I'm the nerdy sort who likes reading small bits of info and stories about writers, books, etc. But also because I need poetry in my life. Poems help me slow down and read carefully. They make me pay attention and look more closely. And often, poetry says something my soul needs to hear. This was today's poem:<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Trust</span><br />Thomas R. Smith</span><br /><br />It's like so many other things in life<br />to which you must say no or yes.<br />So you take your car to the new mechanic.<br />Sometimes the best thing to do is trust.<br /><br />The package left with the disreputable-looking<br />clerk, the check gulped by the night deposit,<br />the envelope passed by dozens of strangers—<br />all show up at their intended destinations.<br /><br />The theft that could have happened doesn't.<br />Wind finally gets where it was going<br />through the snowy trees, and the river, even<br />when frozen, arrives at the right place.<br /><br />And sometimes you sense how faithfully your life<br />is delivered, even though you can't read the address. </blockquote>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-86021264395478172132010-03-04T06:24:00.007-08:002010-03-04T06:37:43.303-08:00Introducing LesediMy friend Doris is the mother of two boys, and really wanted to have a little girl one day. Last year, she became pregnant with her third child. Doris is HIV-positive, and so her friends were very concerned about her health as well as the health of her baby. We've been praying steadily for Doris, and she gave birth to a healthy baby girl in early December 2009. Both Doris and baby Lesedi are doing well, and I finally got to meet Lesedi this week. Her name means "Light." She's beautiful.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Doris and me</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdRo9cbhiZ3oFgE2ewOVlbCeOkmjwJhfnC6i2OYuzRAaYoe9WDFXsCBw8IQpd2Na1P17SF64ivIClOCUYiiNBOWS4VJYb_i7TeDEdhOXvPMyhodr97S0P9k6MtbgRPNlcIdP27Q/s1600-h/IMG_3631.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdRo9cbhiZ3oFgE2ewOVlbCeOkmjwJhfnC6i2OYuzRAaYoe9WDFXsCBw8IQpd2Na1P17SF64ivIClOCUYiiNBOWS4VJYb_i7TeDEdhOXvPMyhodr97S0P9k6MtbgRPNlcIdP27Q/s400/IMG_3631.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444786034881918802" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Me holding Lesedi, who looks extremely startled in this picture</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeNO1p0dsCHqMkNSnBEAAeiqeieoUb5d-bSiYbarJb2tNmHCtDuWf2h3bZjhhslpLUDVIxyYYJNS-UFNJHXOAF1WRCphjM3h089vR8eNZ2ZbFI5GwruvyWKG6OD08ZAzZ8eIbqg/s1600-h/IMG_3605.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeNO1p0dsCHqMkNSnBEAAeiqeieoUb5d-bSiYbarJb2tNmHCtDuWf2h3bZjhhslpLUDVIxyYYJNS-UFNJHXOAF1WRCphjM3h089vR8eNZ2ZbFI5GwruvyWKG6OD08ZAzZ8eIbqg/s400/IMG_3605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444786032843680786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melinda holding a sleeping Lesedi, with Doris and me</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBfGv0tN4IjKMsZkc_-UqRWKH8n7N0OgG68i3SE6rn40Q9WwdcZ-jV7VoxBwIVXyb1f0bdfw1pCJcmbTxTE-svOBqHpIRTkRHKlvw10Nx6yCQPP35_NxdhEEFmrFuZxVkjwf0kg/s1600-h/IMG_3619.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBfGv0tN4IjKMsZkc_-UqRWKH8n7N0OgG68i3SE6rn40Q9WwdcZ-jV7VoxBwIVXyb1f0bdfw1pCJcmbTxTE-svOBqHpIRTkRHKlvw10Nx6yCQPP35_NxdhEEFmrFuZxVkjwf0kg/s400/IMG_3619.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444786018788308242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Group photo! Sarah, me, Lesedi, Doris, and Gopolang (Doris' younger son)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0Jflk-FiQ3B8zmhy9KCf_AG-MlejZGcGKMihlpoVI-Oyvv0rS_IyivdTMwTNLt-1mh4Macp-fgiztMYu0pBvuOqZzcqogqOzP19A4O8-D63oyzSHxOQfAA28l_yjdjyvTM_dkA/s1600-h/IMG_3643.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0Jflk-FiQ3B8zmhy9KCf_AG-MlejZGcGKMihlpoVI-Oyvv0rS_IyivdTMwTNLt-1mh4Macp-fgiztMYu0pBvuOqZzcqogqOzP19A4O8-D63oyzSHxOQfAA28l_yjdjyvTM_dkA/s400/IMG_3643.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444786014040987058" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-89727336659646612772010-03-04T02:17:00.005-08:002010-03-04T06:24:11.168-08:00With the Girls at Emily'sI've had a lot of fun the past couple of weeks hosting my good friend Melinda, who came to visit from California. Melinda and I were roommates the semester I studied in Italy, and are seasoned travel buddies... we added a few journeys to our repertoire, having previously only traveled together in Europe. It was great to introduce an old friend to my home and friends here in South Africa. Here are a few pictures from an afternoon we spent hanging out in Sosh with Emily and her daughters.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me, Melinda, and Sarah with Emily and her girls: Precious, Lungile, and Pretty</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYAB0bN9i3frxrKrFaK2A_3-dyATUVC2t_dUTFxTPiBqXxklA90JSHsq7hsXX-9Tqj2Dts915hyPBcRRIE5hhzWyhxLuUf9JNzrf2ZaAf6IzCNypt1rZNz1_pqmGX_xM6zz3QiA/s1600-h/IMG_3603.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYAB0bN9i3frxrKrFaK2A_3-dyATUVC2t_dUTFxTPiBqXxklA90JSHsq7hsXX-9Tqj2Dts915hyPBcRRIE5hhzWyhxLuUf9JNzrf2ZaAf6IzCNypt1rZNz1_pqmGX_xM6zz3QiA/s400/IMG_3603.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444722738056819362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Games with Lungile: "One day I go to Congo, to see the people of Congo..."</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OePo5c3GKlYa5NCcz73a3ZfvUf92ZxeF45K3Vf50RdqthEVAS8uv7WT3aHQQBIBRK2rtz-t_F3YFu8aB17425OSLomQ99NndrWVLXQvXGVSxf-xnBHHELQwvZySITj_s_Tvplw/s1600-h/IMG_3587.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OePo5c3GKlYa5NCcz73a3ZfvUf92ZxeF45K3Vf50RdqthEVAS8uv7WT3aHQQBIBRK2rtz-t_F3YFu8aB17425OSLomQ99NndrWVLXQvXGVSxf-xnBHHELQwvZySITj_s_Tvplw/s400/IMG_3587.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444722731184414770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melinda making faces with Lungile</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjtLBcavo9F2v4RWFC2mXrU0-V8StL-3jYkQhBSbrCKmG9VH9pOchzrmiFFabJGfyTjw61EjS9pfG7JjOgQinxQT26EcZNScekqMmIX_bSZSs0CtuSA4gjXL3ViTIlJ9JuIY79A/s1600-h/IMG_3568.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjtLBcavo9F2v4RWFC2mXrU0-V8StL-3jYkQhBSbrCKmG9VH9pOchzrmiFFabJGfyTjw61EjS9pfG7JjOgQinxQT26EcZNScekqMmIX_bSZSs0CtuSA4gjXL3ViTIlJ9JuIY79A/s400/IMG_3568.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444722730495000690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mel and the girls: Precious, Lungile, and Pretty, and their cousin Nthabiseng in the background<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLXh9q2yEq3f5AIY_w-d9kMj-j6eHo3-RxhwdLfjlzzncc42hPAXh7jM5e4mi8qYRL5CBUjT8Rh0a0pXh0rlT-II_Z-YPdqjIiSIT-7UE6OYsA987P0vsKvCwMNA0hMpBciN0mw/s1600-h/IMG_3600.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLXh9q2yEq3f5AIY_w-d9kMj-j6eHo3-RxhwdLfjlzzncc42hPAXh7jM5e4mi8qYRL5CBUjT8Rh0a0pXh0rlT-II_Z-YPdqjIiSIT-7UE6OYsA987P0vsKvCwMNA0hMpBciN0mw/s400/IMG_3600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444722726375625682" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-31492210564860078692010-02-27T05:31:00.008-08:002010-02-27T06:36:50.556-08:00What I've been up to lately...It's been too long. I'm in the process of writing an email update, since I've been out of touch for several months! In the meantime, here is a handful of pictures illustrating the variety of places and climates I've been traveling through lately...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ9OvF-7VDsvmo-BDfdxijxX5sEuHqwZQsS8F6cSmBPwVUh5ADdlJ9RaS2OBoHUUWSWdJJjOoAOTZGaXZ9Bf6tR_poqS6rPZ0xEX-82P385nTfGA8pfBQ8pPqyrpC0ps3UHvAFw/s1600-h/DSCN9834.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ9OvF-7VDsvmo-BDfdxijxX5sEuHqwZQsS8F6cSmBPwVUh5ADdlJ9RaS2OBoHUUWSWdJJjOoAOTZGaXZ9Bf6tR_poqS6rPZ0xEX-82P385nTfGA8pfBQ8pPqyrpC0ps3UHvAFw/s400/DSCN9834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442925234987447266" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"Winter" in Southern California. Me with my sister and her kids just before I left for the airport.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXXJWpUDE5UuJHGx8Wj5aoENWEbEw7Y4q-zdGp1DyJhBjijZzNooSSCarNuIolZ6WUJUl4Km7YBKRfNnq7DW7ORgBAnDXneudDIQMXcWpr60m4cDeV8bpUxzMN2oDb3P8Hv4G7g/s1600-h/DSCN0133.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXXJWpUDE5UuJHGx8Wj5aoENWEbEw7Y4q-zdGp1DyJhBjijZzNooSSCarNuIolZ6WUJUl4Km7YBKRfNnq7DW7ORgBAnDXneudDIQMXcWpr60m4cDeV8bpUxzMN2oDb3P8Hv4G7g/s400/DSCN0133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442925242923894754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Next stop: winter in Karlsruhe, Germany. I spent a little over 2 weeks in Germany, visiting a friend and exploring some ministry opportunities there.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx04lxTFTJz7EhycdoHMw3w5u_5MdY1JatPeKAxigR06HG7rMZeTt-yv9nJBsmVsd9TA5l-faNghO-R2aVP9TmytC4ZpJ3muDOY1MYUAX-sq0_YxpZ0afiaurfIcZzLmm_GbCWIA/s1600-h/DSCN0032.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx04lxTFTJz7EhycdoHMw3w5u_5MdY1JatPeKAxigR06HG7rMZeTt-yv9nJBsmVsd9TA5l-faNghO-R2aVP9TmytC4ZpJ3muDOY1MYUAX-sq0_YxpZ0afiaurfIcZzLmm_GbCWIA/s400/DSCN0032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442925246147840770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Me with a frozen lake and the Karlsruhe Palace in the background<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0828QE2iDQYaMBP_LG5EPPaPLh41t47ODtOG1oAt-3ArTL0tHH1zsfACdUXbe1w8zRGsXJfbSmiR4EUdiE_Y-Wwdi0xfyA_CJMseQD1eiQw5AFSLQXXLSq-8CEt1khP6NTpYBQ/s1600-h/IMG_1950.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0828QE2iDQYaMBP_LG5EPPaPLh41t47ODtOG1oAt-3ArTL0tHH1zsfACdUXbe1w8zRGsXJfbSmiR4EUdiE_Y-Wwdi0xfyA_CJMseQD1eiQw5AFSLQXXLSq-8CEt1khP6NTpYBQ/s400/IMG_1950.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442931104898501490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">From freezing temperatures in Germany to summer in South Africa, here I am hanging out with Granny's family in Soshanguve. Lungile, while braiding my hair, told me that my hair is too soft.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTcYc2kkl7u91aQPnOWwDY2EiuoOWHaeQW2jkf4bb5K-reKE-nOM-CqnN3fOCkwWsNi5AMlID0VfnJM1ZHqJ8Pr6harmIB5ceMQ8N0M7lRS2D1ar4InLw8I-jf_KQ8UNNXm7XYg/s1600-h/IMG_2471.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTcYc2kkl7u91aQPnOWwDY2EiuoOWHaeQW2jkf4bb5K-reKE-nOM-CqnN3fOCkwWsNi5AMlID0VfnJM1ZHqJ8Pr6harmIB5ceMQ8N0M7lRS2D1ar4InLw8I-jf_KQ8UNNXm7XYg/s400/IMG_2471.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442925249603510274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My friend Melinda came to visit just a few days after I got back to South Africa, and we went on a short trip to Cape Town. Here we are at the Cape Point lighthouse, getting pelted in the face with rain as gale force winds threaten to blow us off the edge of the African continent.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0XGCKiJm4NLkqMMvlQ04ZWj9nF7dfBcP5IZcGnvEyPBvkRwJSZp1rBtvuEiq9ovRuv3GYfe2TOfbC4Fjr3JEPCmISo-3OU1BJR065WxpnsOGHGCaaS5cvDsZkJcQnw0e5iosBA/s1600-h/DSCN0308.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0XGCKiJm4NLkqMMvlQ04ZWj9nF7dfBcP5IZcGnvEyPBvkRwJSZp1rBtvuEiq9ovRuv3GYfe2TOfbC4Fjr3JEPCmISo-3OU1BJR065WxpnsOGHGCaaS5cvDsZkJcQnw0e5iosBA/s400/DSCN0308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442925259511609218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A slightly more peaceful weather day on our Cape Town trip: here I am at a lookout point near Chapman's Peak.<br /></div><br />I'm back in Pretoria now, getting some much-needed rest and planning the next "vision trip" to explore ministry in the UK. I've got a couple more weeks before I head out again...Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-64181177413224583202009-12-03T22:20:00.022-08:002009-12-07T12:24:42.433-08:00A Dozen Favorites of 2009This is the time of year for myriads of year-end top 10 (or 25 or 100 or insert your favorite number here) lists. <a href="http://melaniesjourneys.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/top-ten-memories-of-my-time-in-sa/">Melanie</a> recently posted a list of her top ten favorite memories from her time in SA this year, and this in combination with Thanksgiving just after I got home inspired me to start working on a list of my own. So here are my top 12 favorite moments & memories I’m thankful for from this year. This is probably not comprehensive, but it's what emerged as I went through my photos. It's been a challenging year, and it was a good exercise for me to remember the positive things. And to discover that I couldn't narrow it down to just 10...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbzidT8v3sfI2R2KHO1BJQJyMSb9i2aYNrVWhy4ss73E_jBStuMBXAAXfE16Ce8iOvuyzLAH6gLIEU5-FiTbeO6r_BN-pt5tHrgAsq1km1D6A0T3YXG0UVBD8KrrrdCvstippng/s1600-h/DSCN1129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbzidT8v3sfI2R2KHO1BJQJyMSb9i2aYNrVWhy4ss73E_jBStuMBXAAXfE16Ce8iOvuyzLAH6gLIEU5-FiTbeO6r_BN-pt5tHrgAsq1km1D6A0T3YXG0UVBD8KrrrdCvstippng/s200/DSCN1129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411470345771673074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. Jacarandas</span><br />Every year, I am thankful for the Jacaranda blossoms. They signal the arrival of spring and change and inevitably the drawing to a close of an apprenticeship year, which is always bittersweet. They’re gorgeous and they drop petals all over Pangani and all over Pretoria, but it’s a beautiful mess.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7wA7d10d_mSxDysjwx9LV2KD4_-uvhKyG05RBmDqmatAg93uLuXawT9LvqZEqXdvlJdatI4_6vS0MWYRX6mkyurlCAlhLWRaCOFgZHNYbyI0YmOD7vT77_2GsILw0-M4Ikg-qw/s1600-h/DSCN9544.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7wA7d10d_mSxDysjwx9LV2KD4_-uvhKyG05RBmDqmatAg93uLuXawT9LvqZEqXdvlJdatI4_6vS0MWYRX6mkyurlCAlhLWRaCOFgZHNYbyI0YmOD7vT77_2GsILw0-M4Ikg-qw/s200/DSCN9544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411466299789576034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. Schoenmakerskop</span><br />On a trip to Port Elizabeth in January, we visited a gorgeous beach called Schoenmakerskop. I explored the coastline, gathered shells, enjoyed lunch with friends and good conversation with Sarah and Dayna as we enjoyed a relaxing walk on the beach. And during a beautiful sunset, Bryan and Daleen exchanged wedding vows (again) on the rocks overlooking the ocean. It was my favorite day of the trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdY4t_AB8u8felwkbH8NBt-q5C4A8zPwwnJK7Wyp7clOo9SshwFQNp5GGe8y791r2L_OcVFRchKeTiIGR4HByOiGacxMXdTzZGhjsrieyGWaUs5P2pw7saMUtOcUbYHFei_7G2A/s1600-h/DSCN0241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdY4t_AB8u8felwkbH8NBt-q5C4A8zPwwnJK7Wyp7clOo9SshwFQNp5GGe8y791r2L_OcVFRchKeTiIGR4HByOiGacxMXdTzZGhjsrieyGWaUs5P2pw7saMUtOcUbYHFei_7G2A/s200/DSCN0241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411468583053696658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. <a href="http://everyturning.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-god-has-made-clean.html">A Night of Spontaneous Theatre, Dance, Art, and Collective Poetry</a></span><br />One of the apprentices, Curtis, led this particular Friday night worship time focused on Acts 15, where Paul affirms “what God has made clean, you are not to call profane.” We explored the ways God might be found in various art forms. Curtis invited me to be part of the planning team, and I helped lead the “collective poetry” portion of the evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC_maov4iARxrdZBm6VkmPnot3Cczwz0zhOlY9IeZKgbd1i1K9qh95IKh15cHWtGSJKuqRChLLBw82C9MOH9yH3cqEX5EOaQIoqinQJiamR5csVhbnOgbtF4caS0PNBPV2ipRYw/s1600-h/DSCN1186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC_maov4iARxrdZBm6VkmPnot3Cczwz0zhOlY9IeZKgbd1i1K9qh95IKh15cHWtGSJKuqRChLLBw82C9MOH9yH3cqEX5EOaQIoqinQJiamR5csVhbnOgbtF4caS0PNBPV2ipRYw/s200/DSCN1186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411470354975188738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. The night we threw Tony in the pool.</span><br />Tony incessantly antagonizes people. With the greatest affection. And everyone loves Tony, but sometimes retaliation is in order. One night a bunch of the girls plotted to throw Tony in the pool. I saw it happening and joined in. As he does, Tony drew a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078306&id=68603549&l=60ff3b59cb">cartoon</a> in protest of our actions. I was careful to lay low the next time we had a pool party and managed to avoid getting thrown in the pool myself. The other girls were not so lucky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oFlC7g5p4-P3O7aGCQ8vELjliK2e64_JxCPPrLEeKcDc2Z0lJ2_3tyTs9ZbLoUEezW4SfHvf4CIzXVyALe8_tjg_4IgSV2T7-w7dWxwcFG6CzXnrJTHVRF32VeWHVI6ZLCviCg/s1600-h/DSCN0628.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oFlC7g5p4-P3O7aGCQ8vELjliK2e64_JxCPPrLEeKcDc2Z0lJ2_3tyTs9ZbLoUEezW4SfHvf4CIzXVyALe8_tjg_4IgSV2T7-w7dWxwcFG6CzXnrJTHVRF32VeWHVI6ZLCviCg/s200/DSCN0628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411470314909110642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. <a href="http://everyturning.blogspot.com/2009/07/retreat.html">Mpumalanga</a> Trip</span><br />When I was an apprentice, the five of us went to Mpumalanga, but it was to a different part of the province. I had heard from numerous people about God's Window and how beautiful it was, and decided to take a trip there on my own: part retreat, part "introvert time." The scenery was gorgeous and it was a refreshing, much-needed getaway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPiko2qYJj9DK0i55GZt4XnX0dj4yldbmIn9h3DgLg0St4yyYzYlEdihU9HAG9z6BfZU09lpnTWLzo-N4wuqHWuSFTKSvzIaCL5Rcu1OtB8rMOGSxJF_zxMrrmyZ87JGDWJd9dg/s1600-h/P6170140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPiko2qYJj9DK0i55GZt4XnX0dj4yldbmIn9h3DgLg0St4yyYzYlEdihU9HAG9z6BfZU09lpnTWLzo-N4wuqHWuSFTKSvzIaCL5Rcu1OtB8rMOGSxJF_zxMrrmyZ87JGDWJd9dg/s200/P6170140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411466330318975474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. <a href="http://everyturning.blogspot.com/2009/06/staff-appreciation-dinner.html">Staff Appreciation</a> Dinner</span><br />In June, the apprentices threw a dinner party for the staff team. It was phenomenal: the meal, the entertainment (thanks, Busi!), the time spent together, and the thoughtfulness and care that was expressed by the apprentices for us as a team. This was the only year I know of that a group of apprentices has done something like this for the staff. It was a pretty hard year for our staff team, and this dinner was a beautiful gift in the midst of some difficult stuff!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wy7CQElnpbxm8-y7RWD2jWj5HeYg2z0OYFNN0g5WVp_fY7gTDfSpaSAvxdRTxbDqRvGMi4hpsUbNQAd9H-vaXA_JIYYqUqrS5pD-vhh7uVbybPQJe9bu-Wu8MkRzDtetSTLUug/s1600-h/DSCN0780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wy7CQElnpbxm8-y7RWD2jWj5HeYg2z0OYFNN0g5WVp_fY7gTDfSpaSAvxdRTxbDqRvGMi4hpsUbNQAd9H-vaXA_JIYYqUqrS5pD-vhh7uVbybPQJe9bu-Wu8MkRzDtetSTLUug/s200/DSCN0780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411470329308058674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. <a href="http://everyturning.blogspot.com/2009/07/peace-of-christ-gate-and-cross-at-st.html">Inviting Retreat</a> at St. Benedict’s</span><br />At the close of the Inviting Posture, the apprentices and several staff spent a weekend at a retreat center in Joburg. During this retreat, I read C. Baxter Kruger's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Great Dance</span>. The weekend, for me, was a great combination of solitude, reading, and reflection, and having a couple of really powerful times of sharing together as a group what God was speaking to each of us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91mYibzXvjnYhtKXoUnxIKLDB8F40724nsDjs8_Q52z0TWJnzpVEmYbfn6FgKOubWYzN7Dr-yhksKQFNdLDzDJ7UXHcTRdLU9tfV5o55I5xe0m215Uc8OEGzoRj4GwgaZHaX_gA/s1600-h/DSCN0285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91mYibzXvjnYhtKXoUnxIKLDB8F40724nsDjs8_Q52z0TWJnzpVEmYbfn6FgKOubWYzN7Dr-yhksKQFNdLDzDJ7UXHcTRdLU9tfV5o55I5xe0m215Uc8OEGzoRj4GwgaZHaX_gA/s200/DSCN0285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411468592708008482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Book Discussions</span><br />A pattern emerged early on in this year's weekly book discussions. We'd start with the discussion questions, veer wildly off topic, and find that by the end of the evening, we had still discussed everything the questions were getting at, and had done so from a very personal angle. Ultimately our book discussions were more about creating space for letting the Holy Spirit guide the conversation. And it's amazing to sit back and watch that happen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUQtewG-F__d8voHe4FdHEylg2oWlQJPy7MHju8S_MePUDs_ALsnaTvb2O25Hq9qovd65C5j7mkTEar7FVfI8qOF58S5Rki2mkry4VUBta0Z673guoVf9x6C2ObmuuUPv-kCHgQ/s1600-h/DSCN0929.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUQtewG-F__d8voHe4FdHEylg2oWlQJPy7MHju8S_MePUDs_ALsnaTvb2O25Hq9qovd65C5j7mkTEar7FVfI8qOF58S5Rki2mkry4VUBta0Z673guoVf9x6C2ObmuuUPv-kCHgQ/s200/DSCN0929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412590027194051042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Personal Retreat</span><br />I wrote about this a little more <a href="http://everyturning.blogspot.com/2009/09/immense-value-of-doing-almost-nothing.html">here</a>. On this three-night stay at a bush camp, I did virtually nothing but read and lie by a very tiny pool. And eat. And sleep. And wander around looking at zebra and impala. And it was good for my soul.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCkWJo2d1q3_bD-gHz3s0N_5-QQXvzioIAZO4bJ0nmYI5uUy6XzArkVUKf5qQmeU8Emm8-n9sTn_F-1xAekLZDRhRAJ2LB1YQpL3bJpVHlcjJtN0UDShe_5dqt7np7mxMV_pdfg/s1600-h/P3130048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCkWJo2d1q3_bD-gHz3s0N_5-QQXvzioIAZO4bJ0nmYI5uUy6XzArkVUKf5qQmeU8Emm8-n9sTn_F-1xAekLZDRhRAJ2LB1YQpL3bJpVHlcjJtN0UDShe_5dqt7np7mxMV_pdfg/s200/P3130048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411466322475424386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://everyturning.blogspot.com/2009/03/kitten.html">Lucy</a><br />My roommate and I got our cat, Lucy, in March, from Granny’s family in Soshanguve. She was 4 weeks old. One of the many dramas of my last few weeks in Pretoria was finding someone to take care of her while both Sarah and I were away on furlough. After literally talking to every single person we knew in Pretoria, we still weren't able to find someone who could take her. My friend Salom<span style="font-size:100%;">é</span> dedicated herself to the cause, and she called practically everyone she knew as well, to no avail. After dropping me off at the airport, Sarah made one last-ditch effort and asked yet another of our neighbors if they would take Lucy in. They said yes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQ4fka29hIci9vH5dRZ6G0b6UKO6DORpyoFbKbW7iFxX7Oi6_y8dOhqyoaaX1PHFXiZ0OEtRXLMPokaXnMRjAy64o9-AvVmfCxhqMr9IrNwZLEPVW8Huw2x3SCXciTh-kB_xmxw/s1600-h/P4180515.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQ4fka29hIci9vH5dRZ6G0b6UKO6DORpyoFbKbW7iFxX7Oi6_y8dOhqyoaaX1PHFXiZ0OEtRXLMPokaXnMRjAy64o9-AvVmfCxhqMr9IrNwZLEPVW8Huw2x3SCXciTh-kB_xmxw/s200/P4180515.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411468562757172850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Art of Soul </span><br />One of my ministry goals/visions coming out of my apprenticeship year was to start a discussion group to explore spiritual questions through fiction & film. At the beginning of the year, Curtis told me he thought I should start a literature discussion group. Hmm. Curtis and Melanie partnered with me in starting up Art of Soul this year, offering the encouragement and support I needed to get it going.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus1sZ0hKV8O4uIGuNDbPOY-_ZLX90IFm6KiRH_RrloVDfpt79juSM1rBzMIr1K-78QjxluzawTuXdeFjBXlJ65lEO4ctqf8h3aAx6RRS4WFeSR-s1KQXDCjHjFyFzpBDDUpZBNA/s1600-h/ArtofSoul.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus1sZ0hKV8O4uIGuNDbPOY-_ZLX90IFm6KiRH_RrloVDfpt79juSM1rBzMIr1K-78QjxluzawTuXdeFjBXlJ65lEO4ctqf8h3aAx6RRS4WFeSR-s1KQXDCjHjFyFzpBDDUpZBNA/s200/ArtofSoul.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411468555429737922" border="0" /></a>My good friend Cori and her husband Kevin joined in, inviting their friends Jacomien and Salom<span style="font-size:100%;">é</span>... and we were off! It was an amazing year, with some really really good discussions: covering topics from the nature of belief, to revenge and reconciliation. More than that, some great friendships formed and deepened, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with these friends next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. HeArt Project</span><br />At the conclusion of each year, apprentices are given the assignment to create a "HeArt Project," an art project that encapsulates what God has done in their hearts throughout the year. I wasn't going to do a heart project this year. I don't really do art. But then there were some very powerful images that came to mind, things that God had been showing me and encouraging me in over the past year (and even the couple previous years). So I decided to do a project. But I wasn't going to talk about it in front of the group, because it was a little too fresh at the time. But then I decided to talk about it. And then I wasn't going to after all. But I did. After all the vacillation on my part, it ended up being a really important moment for me to acknowledge the difficulties this year has held, and the hope that I have coming out of those difficult times. As well as to have those things affirmed by my community.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wmulODL5UQ9-hDQTdiNAush59Q10gikR4YtUifloL9ZwMvKNvz49FRwU4pkJaY3jc_M4H0Nm1FBwA61nvqktkAiGucxXPYoiOm6boXf-F9Bawre-c8oTDo8R7alKB1Wqzqkuog/s1600-h/PB130245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wmulODL5UQ9-hDQTdiNAush59Q10gikR4YtUifloL9ZwMvKNvz49FRwU4pkJaY3jc_M4H0Nm1FBwA61nvqktkAiGucxXPYoiOm6boXf-F9Bawre-c8oTDo8R7alKB1Wqzqkuog/s200/PB130245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411472850721883266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcAWiXGepKMQmmRzgYvTN4grb4lYRJV6MAvC5Rs7E8-bRA3WY4hs3vos8j-apUGIJVQa6UtkfLAcNAIInEyOSRYCR_ihQhGNBseZ1NRljuhCC_SsJtSLGjpf9kfdb1zRCq6K5dA/s1600-h/PB130244.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcAWiXGepKMQmmRzgYvTN4grb4lYRJV6MAvC5Rs7E8-bRA3WY4hs3vos8j-apUGIJVQa6UtkfLAcNAIInEyOSRYCR_ihQhGNBseZ1NRljuhCC_SsJtSLGjpf9kfdb1zRCq6K5dA/s200/PB130244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411472860044080354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5D9KCxhVZE7h4USMAC8RUtUlKDHbJOFAZSzyuhNfjOeoYZ4XcbuveKifTxEXbF5-GEUpluKnJJNUUNFxxmGSGTJhc2Di2GsUPKoDnp9F-euftSnIhLe5JQEcrgnGEQfmIocs0A/s1600-h/PB130243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5D9KCxhVZE7h4USMAC8RUtUlKDHbJOFAZSzyuhNfjOeoYZ4XcbuveKifTxEXbF5-GEUpluKnJJNUUNFxxmGSGTJhc2Di2GsUPKoDnp9F-euftSnIhLe5JQEcrgnGEQfmIocs0A/s200/PB130243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411472872085279586" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-14375528361937044202009-11-30T20:38:00.004-08:002009-11-30T20:44:44.624-08:00Where to find GodFrom an Advent <a href="http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/2009/nov-24-advent-branch/">devotional</a> I've been reading this season:<br /><blockquote><span>A Hasidic story tells of a rabbi's son who used to wander in the woods. The rabbi asked his son, "I wonder why each day you walk in the woods?" The boy replied, "I go there to find God." "That's very good, son. But, don't you know that God is the same everywhere?" "Yes," the boy answered, "but I'm not."<br /></span></blockquote>A good reminder of my need to seek God in the ways that I can best meet Him this season. God is the same everywhere. But I am not, and I need to remember that. Especially during the transition and unsettledness of a furlough.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-59525119468442883172009-11-23T11:33:00.002-08:002009-11-23T11:46:57.804-08:00Staff year-end brunchI wanted to write a longer post of my thoughts and reflections at the end of the 2009 apprenticeship year, including a group photo, pictures of my heart project & a short description of the meaning behind it... but that will have to wait. The past few days have been full of packing and moving my belongings from my apartment to Pangani, where they will be stored until I return from furlough at the beginning of February. The 2009 apprenticeship has drawn to a close and I fly back to CA tomorrow. Stories will follow when I'm not in the midst of boxes and suitcases and the looking up of baggage requirements. In the meantime, here are a couple photos of our staff team, from our goodbye brunch this morning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Prayer of blessing for Joe and Natalie. Joe will be taking on leadership of the team going forward.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkdfu1eV33EDix5hdiaJPZqbICYXEF4g7zmCbtskxsZa7FB1GafF5ayeooUbQmThteNuuKleeCAOjI6MgAkM9dbYFevTcefXpssUy5oUzRibjd1Uq6I-hUw3kFzQN1Cami8DegQ/s1600/DSCN9616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkdfu1eV33EDix5hdiaJPZqbICYXEF4g7zmCbtskxsZa7FB1GafF5ayeooUbQmThteNuuKleeCAOjI6MgAkM9dbYFevTcefXpssUy5oUzRibjd1Uq6I-hUw3kFzQN1Cami8DegQ/s400/DSCN9616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407385374639073074" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Group shot...<br />Back row: Natalie, Daleen (and Keziah), Sarah, and me<br />Front row: Joe, Bryan, Doug<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYwU84Na3ksdDovDUGI2iX_8dvBSX21xRk19uoAiF5t0YW7hxWx4RUExvAfrlnLL2_Z8UsAUpaIU1pqWgGMTVLQsilMypy2rwGh0zbzZGuXvbJicD7N24YXAPE7L8TFA3Gq-Opw/s1600/DSCN9630.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYwU84Na3ksdDovDUGI2iX_8dvBSX21xRk19uoAiF5t0YW7hxWx4RUExvAfrlnLL2_Z8UsAUpaIU1pqWgGMTVLQsilMypy2rwGh0zbzZGuXvbJicD7N24YXAPE7L8TFA3Gq-Opw/s400/DSCN9630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407385371028761634" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-6909865331918723232009-10-22T07:23:00.003-07:002009-10-22T07:38:35.289-07:00Performance ArtNot content to only display visual art, we set aside a time during our Gala Gallery Opening for performance art. Lizzy's poems were read, Busi of course performed several lip synch numbers, Curtis showed off his disturbing ability to practically dislocate his arm, Colletta and Busi danced to a Congolese song (translation provided by Luc), and Dayna MC'd the evening hilariously in character as Will Ferrell's Harry Caray.<br /><br />But there was a serious side, as blessings were read and prayers were said for the family as they head into a new season of life and ministry. The Wards have generously poured themselves out here, mentoring so many and enriching the lives and hearts they have touched. Their leadership and friendship will be greatly missed!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHT30BdHSuIUvHCHBMcDh1dhN0mM-ndaHOSKpXN1Z-tKIS5KlIuQXbiskabSK5vVeJihBYKRX9LYq1_ZQNaPbLZCG782w76sSw0f5DoXm2soMGgrlZe4nrpaWkW5ts4nEVGQoHug/s1600-h/DSCN1163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHT30BdHSuIUvHCHBMcDh1dhN0mM-ndaHOSKpXN1Z-tKIS5KlIuQXbiskabSK5vVeJihBYKRX9LYq1_ZQNaPbLZCG782w76sSw0f5DoXm2soMGgrlZe4nrpaWkW5ts4nEVGQoHug/s400/DSCN1163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395431100502425234" border="0" /></a>Busi performing "You Give Love a Bad Name" (no comment intended upon Bryan and Daleen and their ability to love)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iRocOqOCZmYCtbTxUsjsAcVVAAlMLkOq-bPDQORdiJ9JZ0lnDUMA8BTbwVWYmB76by2COsbjSpNjtSA2UvyiGHm1uuQizZfV42Zm90joLHzBUZHH-d-eijIppxwDLcgNcQ1QCw/s1600-h/DSCN1161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iRocOqOCZmYCtbTxUsjsAcVVAAlMLkOq-bPDQORdiJ9JZ0lnDUMA8BTbwVWYmB76by2COsbjSpNjtSA2UvyiGHm1uuQizZfV42Zm90joLHzBUZHH-d-eijIppxwDLcgNcQ1QCw/s400/DSCN1161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395431095293146898" border="0" /></a>Colletta joins Busi to close out "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling" (again, no comment intended upon Bryan and Daleen)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo4fPY2zG-3nUogUt5G1ZH4U10o4Gu3rkSnGtvLa8rNvS-cVcW6Kds6kZaBL_fiLkJFrsDLsW74fZ_mmeh7uZHUIM521f9oMZWrmGEk5pptJa-Dmg-hFvv0fCq6KajCyXkmqVXg/s1600-h/DSCN1175.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo4fPY2zG-3nUogUt5G1ZH4U10o4Gu3rkSnGtvLa8rNvS-cVcW6Kds6kZaBL_fiLkJFrsDLsW74fZ_mmeh7uZHUIM521f9oMZWrmGEk5pptJa-Dmg-hFvv0fCq6KajCyXkmqVXg/s400/DSCN1175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395431104173321778" border="0" /></a>Colletta and Busi invite Daleen to join them in a Congolese dance<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctVy2vneDp4eCtBOWpP8dWYXpCWiVuS4YB-k4bRQbSB24450arDNJV1RRhh2yxIwFM_DiuKKpMtAd1-DVmddGFUWzZUQ0ZSg-ph0_0yIfWmzc7LLhdegxqaw3AAugPEkK3FT5eg/s1600-h/DSCN1178.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctVy2vneDp4eCtBOWpP8dWYXpCWiVuS4YB-k4bRQbSB24450arDNJV1RRhh2yxIwFM_DiuKKpMtAd1-DVmddGFUWzZUQ0ZSg-ph0_0yIfWmzc7LLhdegxqaw3AAugPEkK3FT5eg/s400/DSCN1178.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395431105469110754" border="0" /></a>Oupa joined in as well, and brought Bryan along with him. I love the expression on Bryan's face here...<br /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-27409738935436593332009-10-22T07:16:00.002-07:002009-10-22T07:22:47.820-07:00Pangani GalleryOver the weekend, we threw a surprise thank you celebration for the Ward family. Bryan and Daleen were part of starting up NieuCommunities South Africa seven years ago, and this year will be their last apprenticeship year.<br /><br />Given the Wards' passion for creativity and the ways they have encouraged art throughout our community especially this year, we decided to use that as a theme for the evening. While the staff took Bryan & Daleen out for dinner, the apprentices and other friends were hard at work transforming Pangani into an art gallery. We displayed the Wards' artwork as well as pieces created by many of our community. Here are a few shots of our very own Pangani Gallery.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBKbbGglHvNuCRZbYurUGj4sQAYJb5K1NzRE_14Y1B5NnDmYgRoGjoys9SOLi3d4nZpQC8wmWkGxWL_EoyiR7lDi7tj4QM5FbSWTTjNtO3JfWbewLlufpo5mGHGd_QoGiJC6Ymg/s1600-h/DSCN1151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBKbbGglHvNuCRZbYurUGj4sQAYJb5K1NzRE_14Y1B5NnDmYgRoGjoys9SOLi3d4nZpQC8wmWkGxWL_EoyiR7lDi7tj4QM5FbSWTTjNtO3JfWbewLlufpo5mGHGd_QoGiJC6Ymg/s400/DSCN1151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395428986135032146" border="0" /></a>The Bryan Ward and Daleen Ward Gallery: We renamed the sitting room for the evening to showcase art by Bryan & Daleen.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24mNxLsEAziM4SsFuofzvGVxVxpfpKgWdoBNs7FM3KaQy5cv7E4jTPvzXBWQygbQcg8C53I_-Kjdff-em_gqUQUgHfpDmLQ6UzaxbiFC9UOeCTQwyHquxnhTR4CwmFFZPSdyJdA/s1600-h/DSCN1141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24mNxLsEAziM4SsFuofzvGVxVxpfpKgWdoBNs7FM3KaQy5cv7E4jTPvzXBWQygbQcg8C53I_-Kjdff-em_gqUQUgHfpDmLQ6UzaxbiFC9UOeCTQwyHquxnhTR4CwmFFZPSdyJdA/s400/DSCN1141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395428979038488610" border="0" /></a>Interactive Photo Collage: photos were displayed from throughout the Wards' time with NCSA, and gallery guests were invited to add their own comments and memories sparked by the photography on display.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4vh5KpNE4mLP2Ow3JyNKJalwuRoh1-tW1Z5bSoUxq8fdgJ39CIlzXBqUciJmCzJurA2dOZysg8XZAHjd1KH9vAmvwrbJ-xa6ff0PH7Ci4EIslNrG_ioWDZA_u0RzlmrAGhVIxA/s1600-h/DSCN1146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4vh5KpNE4mLP2Ow3JyNKJalwuRoh1-tW1Z5bSoUxq8fdgJ39CIlzXBqUciJmCzJurA2dOZysg8XZAHjd1KH9vAmvwrbJ-xa6ff0PH7Ci4EIslNrG_ioWDZA_u0RzlmrAGhVIxA/s400/DSCN1146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395428982906048066" border="0" /></a>Local Artists: Throughout the gallery was displayed art by many from our community: here are several pieces by the Crawley girls.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yyTdRnhe5McgpGupRELBJ24DlAc7MvFucAWvp0qxDfhfDA1Sq0kXE6qjcZETeT5nQGrPnZs_3vcI5YrNLsPB6GGrG5cvk0zLCCB-GZr4KH217loGHeI7KgiykuDH0U1BKmLajQ/s1600-h/DSCN1203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yyTdRnhe5McgpGupRELBJ24DlAc7MvFucAWvp0qxDfhfDA1Sq0kXE6qjcZETeT5nQGrPnZs_3vcI5YrNLsPB6GGrG5cvk0zLCCB-GZr4KH217loGHeI7KgiykuDH0U1BKmLajQ/s400/DSCN1203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395428990181207906" border="0" /></a>Masterpieces in Mentoring: Hung from the ceiling in the Gallery Lobby (otherwise known as the dining room) were photos of many of those who have been mentored by Bryan and Daleen over the years, along with words of affirmation and thanks.</div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-14459909724793410902009-10-22T06:53:00.003-07:002009-10-22T07:15:56.445-07:00Where I workFor the past few weeks, Pangani has been canopied above and carpeted below with purple blossoms. Abram, one of our gardeners, is constantly raking up the purple debris. By the time he's gathered a wheelbarrow-full, the lawn is scattered with blossoms again. It's a losing battle and it's beautiful. Abram might not think so, though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxfCbBx2H84TJSmX27btjSX_7IbWxodwdJG3_totXy28kReQCvtBzcqkLJWRinRhLW5CbkTNhjMbJIr8gvrCwHPXioB4ZLl0ewyBX93ahGEfgVrtqzSi8jC0YuZzqf7jCE1BAxQ/s1600-h/DSCN1206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxfCbBx2H84TJSmX27btjSX_7IbWxodwdJG3_totXy28kReQCvtBzcqkLJWRinRhLW5CbkTNhjMbJIr8gvrCwHPXioB4ZLl0ewyBX93ahGEfgVrtqzSi8jC0YuZzqf7jCE1BAxQ/s400/DSCN1206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395423457348793874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPatOw-wImXv9hsw_JVkp8bL6w32Bs9aWQsVAmX5M_wK0ecMePbi38PdJUZxo-0gqLQY1ncm6yBvgxLMxdpklPpSIsW5ITAswCFS3_3TDajVxf8J5pMBBfY6XX23fAaQXn7oAiw/s1600-h/DSCN1134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPatOw-wImXv9hsw_JVkp8bL6w32Bs9aWQsVAmX5M_wK0ecMePbi38PdJUZxo-0gqLQY1ncm6yBvgxLMxdpklPpSIsW5ITAswCFS3_3TDajVxf8J5pMBBfY6XX23fAaQXn7oAiw/s400/DSCN1134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395423452305243858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yISL-eh6b1Cwzs5sTcHp9ClS9jwx8JeTNKq-fhVcrxkY2lOTza2FEgDIF2jFMARVmV7lStmKx7b7MtP9k0gJxGIGcFUKwtsMVUoN-GCtUkTc8KU-mlnJ3AVujUA0FzyFYetjqg/s1600-h/DSCN1129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yISL-eh6b1Cwzs5sTcHp9ClS9jwx8JeTNKq-fhVcrxkY2lOTza2FEgDIF2jFMARVmV7lStmKx7b7MtP9k0gJxGIGcFUKwtsMVUoN-GCtUkTc8KU-mlnJ3AVujUA0FzyFYetjqg/s400/DSCN1129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395423445619855010" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-2587219764903919792009-10-04T05:52:00.003-07:002009-10-04T06:01:26.665-07:00PurpleSpring has arrived in Pretoria, and with it the jacaranda blossoms. Driving home the other day, I spotted this purple Beetle... the exact shade as the jacarandas on the street where it was parked. Sarah took this quick shot out the window. Not the best picture, but I still like the concept!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOfeRfYUIfOV0Elwmjls7PQneJrXbOl4blO7RBLmLK6MuAv9DmkS1f5rAHR_0W_9TWQ9utJ6qENTE7pMdXuHnkZeJ_QptjpF2sI0m2eAP6NqrtRx3CCuf1pK0uTvpr1XYRSEiCQ/s1600-h/DSCN1127.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOfeRfYUIfOV0Elwmjls7PQneJrXbOl4blO7RBLmLK6MuAv9DmkS1f5rAHR_0W_9TWQ9utJ6qENTE7pMdXuHnkZeJ_QptjpF2sI0m2eAP6NqrtRx3CCuf1pK0uTvpr1XYRSEiCQ/s400/DSCN1127.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388727293714928338" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23034319.post-34761053933341259472009-10-04T05:45:00.003-07:002009-10-04T05:52:05.700-07:00Emily's gardenEmily and the other employees at the bakery are growing vegetables in a community garden behind Emily's house. Emily has talked about getting this garden started since I was an apprentice in 2007, and it's exciting to see it growing at last!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBSCtDOiZTESTiN86qU7ljSfWbNeR82fa3aC2WzKrtzhdw2JEZICu63RlLIAPec7f1cVNgSxu5MltJGtDSvN6W-VOuUGZ8RMQ2ysNibuzkCLXQWV-VdXFBEo_tmMjby5O3_p0YQ/s1600-h/DSCN1124.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBSCtDOiZTESTiN86qU7ljSfWbNeR82fa3aC2WzKrtzhdw2JEZICu63RlLIAPec7f1cVNgSxu5MltJGtDSvN6W-VOuUGZ8RMQ2ysNibuzkCLXQWV-VdXFBEo_tmMjby5O3_p0YQ/s400/DSCN1124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388725800063102930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2pG4ANMIsRWoaAeg0sBDT26hsD6dEzM3E0RcOlH8m7ZvnAo8ulyxzWMToXwk3XoEyNqRLuZyZzd-wAJ91NdV0MtiWw32BQqoPSUfRQphYqcQ4kvrm62TJIgp0g56ky01cpzM0g/s1600-h/DSCN1123.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2pG4ANMIsRWoaAeg0sBDT26hsD6dEzM3E0RcOlH8m7ZvnAo8ulyxzWMToXwk3XoEyNqRLuZyZzd-wAJ91NdV0MtiWw32BQqoPSUfRQphYqcQ4kvrm62TJIgp0g56ky01cpzM0g/s400/DSCN1123.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388725791715752738" border="0" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857436947365816389noreply@blogger.com0